The Magazine Issue X: The Forgotten Photographer - Page 19

Slim Aarons

Getty Images Gallery, London

"Ninety nine per cent of my contemporaries kept on reporting about the miseries and worries of the world after the war - but hell, someone had to do the other stuff. Besides, after the war, the only beaches I wanted to see had girls on them."

Not your typical mission statement, but Slim Aarons was not your typical photographer. Renowned for his psychedelically colourful work, documenting the dolce vita lifestyles of the major players of twentieth century high society, the great American photographer cut his teeth as a combat photographer at Yank magazine during World War II. His early, predominantly black and white, works stand up to any comparison with the best photojournalism of the day, and indeed Slim was approached by Robert Capa and Henri Cartier-Bresson to join them in the founding of Magnum. Politely declining the invitation, this same maverick streak saw Slim join the Life team of photographers but refuse to become a 'staffer'; Slim's forceful charisma and enviable, self-forged connections allowed him to remain a hugely successful, independent freelancer throughout his career.